… a Travel, Beauty & Lifestyle Blog

In the last couple of years, I have travelled more than I ever have in my life, all thanks to a husband who loves to travel!

As someone who suffers from severe travel sickness, I was never into travelling and needles to say never looked forward to the day I had to get on an airplane to reach my holiday destination. But that’s all in the past now, because I’ve overcome the travel sickness and I enjoy every bit of travel planning and packing as much as I enjoy the travel. Hurray!

Today’s post is dedicated to My Top 10 Carry-On Travel Essentials that work for me, and will probably work wonderfully for you too, especially if you are in a situation where you need to pack your bag asap and head out the door. So let’s jump right in:

1. Sleep Essentials

I still get slightly anxious on planes, so what works best for me is to sleep on long flights. Or at least try to! My carry-on sleep essentials include a cute, padded eye mask and a pillow to keep my neck from hurting.

I bought this adorable ‘Oh Deer’ eye mask from Aeropostale.

2. Earphones or Earbuds

There’s nothing more annoying than to have a crying, cranky baby or a group of chatterboxes sitting close to you on a flight, especially when you’re like me and trying to SLEEP.

So I always carry earphones in my carry-on bag so I can listen to some soothing music and drown out all the unwanted noise.

3. A Snack!

Have you ever woken up mid-flight hungry? Well, I have, on several occasions and so I always carry with me some sort of a snack to save me on such an occasion.

These also come in handy if you don’t want to pay crazy amounts to use the minibar at your hotel or when you’re just wandering about the city and feel your energy dipping.

My favourite snacks include granola or energy bars, Bourbon and probably a pack of peanuts 🙂

4. Medication

If you’re a sensitive peep like me, (or even otherwise) it is always a good idea to carry basic medication in your bag. For me, that includes my travel sickness pill that I pop the minute I get on an airplane, eye drops (trust me, there’s nothing worse than dry, itchy eyes on an airplane, all thanks to that re-circulated air!), pain medication and also a soothing balm.

5. Mouthwash

You don’t want people to smell your stinky breath right?! I hope not!

A small bottle of mouthwash is an absolute essential in my carry-on. If not that, then a pack a chewing gum works just as well.

If we are staying at an apartment or budget hotel, then I carry a travel-size toothpaste and toothbrush as well, just in case the hotel doesn’t provide us with those 🙂

6. Reading Material

I’ve noticed that flipping through a magazine keeps me entertained and occupied on an airplane. So for times when my phone battery dies on me or my earphones aren’t working, I always throw in a nice magazine into my bag.

You can always carry a Lonely Planet book with you too – comes in handy while exploring the city you are travelling to or times when you have an early morning/late night/connecting flight and you’re dead bored sitting at the airport.

7. Hand Sanitizer and Wet Wipes

Do you have any idea how many hidden germs are lurking in airplanes, airports, and hotel rooms? MILLIONS!

Antibacterial wipes and a hand sanitizer are godsends while travelling. You never know when you might spill something on yourself or eat in a place that does not have soap to wash your hands or god forbid use a toilet that has no toilet paper – wet wipes and hand sanitizer will come to your rescue!

I always carry a small bottle of Dettol, Bath & Body Works or Zuci hand sanitizer and a travel pack of wet wipes in my bag.

8. Skin Essentials

Like I mentioned before, there’s nothing worse for your skin than to be on an airplane for long hours. The re-circulated air sucks moisture out of your skin and makes it feel dry, itchy and dehydrated. Not to forget, we don’t drink enough water on planes.

For my skin care essentials, I always have a 50ml bottle of Thermal Spring Water (my favourites are from Avene, La Roche-Posay, Vichy and Uriage), a hydrating moisturiser or serum like the Avene Cleanance Hydra or the Bioderma Hydrabio Sérum, band-aids and of course a lip balm (my favourite being the Nivea Lip Butter).

9. A Set of Clothing

I’ve heard horror stories of people’s check-in baggage going missing at airports, so I like to be prepared in case that ever happens with me.

Also, if I’m completely honest with you – I’m an over-packer, so I usually end up keeping a set of comfy clothing in the carry-on. Win-win!

I suggest you keep a lightweight dress, comfy pj’s or shorts and a tee or even a light jacket. I personally always carry a light jacket or blanket scarf in my bag because I tend to feel cold on planes.

10. Documents and Chargers

Duh! Obvious!

How can your travel packing be complete without these? I always carry tickets and travel documents (passport, visa, hotel reservations, etc.) or photocopies of the same with me in my carry-on. Also, I keep a portable charger, universal adapter and laptop charger with me at all times.

So those were My Top 10 Carry-On Travel Essentials. What are your carry-on essential items that you’d never travel without?

I totally agree with the hand sanister, and reading materials when you get bored! Also, water – it’s one of those things you’re most likely to forgot. Sometimes I wonder if I should get earbuds for the bus journeys haha x